Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-01-10
to modify the frightful Oven-tempera-

lure.
The sunset came like an amiable
coquet, who, after having tantahZed her
adorers as long as possible, finally
takes pity on them. The last sunbeams
lent ruddy color to all the naked and
dismal landscape. Suddenly great
fire-red mass, that seemed to flash with
occasional lightnings, appeared upon
our left. while before us a long band of
verdure outlined itself sharply against
the whiteness of the salt AT the same
moment our horses neighed. They
scented water and accelerated their
| pace under the impulse of such desire
as only those who have travelled much
in deserts can comprehend.
Water! We were about to reach
water.
We urged on our horses with voice
and hand; we had almost reached the
lakelet when, at signal from our
guide, we drew rein and stopped short.
The spectacle which presented itself
to our eyes was we'll worth halt under
any circumstances.
Emerging from the marshes, all in
line, like veteran infantry, 1900 or
5000 grallic birds, with extravagantly
long necks and legs. were majeStically
advancing. Their body plumage was
a rosy-white; their wings fre-crimson.
LOS iamengos!' exclaimed Barlejo
as we dismounted.
Concealed behind a curtain of reeds
we could admire, without being seen,
this army of aquatic birds marching in
battle-array, in several well-marshaled
bodies. each ianked by sentinels in
trusted with the duty of keeping look
out for the general security.
Luminous CLEANS radiated from the
splendid wings of these birds-wings
that seemed to clothe them as with
nantes of purple upon which the sun
light played and flashed. The crimson
CLEANS shifted and varied with the
billowy walk of the birds-an oscillat-
ing gait, like that of sailors who have
become SO accustomed to the pitching
and tossing OF the sea that they walk
like sloop rocking on the waves. The
pink plumage of their necks and breasts
make delightful contrast with the
fame-color of the background. 1t
seemed like flock of birds swimming
in sea of fire.
All! how dull and sombre then seemed
to us the colors of those other flamin-
goes which people the Bouches-du-
Rhonc, ana which we used to admire SO
much rs children, when we were IN
dulged with walk TO the pools of La
Camargue.
Their order was admirable; their de-
pertinent correct as possible.
With heads uplittod, beaks all for
ward, eyes fixed at a distance of fifty
PAGES before them. all marched in line;
not one head or body protruded before
The rest; all the wings touched like so
many elbows; they marched in close
rank like those old grenadiers who used
to delight the Parisians on review days,
at a time when the bear-skin caps were
still popular.
What sight for a drill master!
What fine example to cite for those
conscripts who, even after six months
training, will still persist in starting off
right foot first!
The 1amingoes steadily advanced
across the salines without single
break in an array that would have done
credit to a Prussian regiment. They
marched straight upon the fame-color-
ed mass which we had already OBJ
served upon our left
Then suddenly that crimson mass.
previously immobile, took motion, be-
came animated; and several thousands
OF other famingoes stood upright upon
their long stilt-like legs. As they did
so we caught sight of what we had not
perceived before an innumerable
quantity of black points standing out in
relief against the white of the salt.
These little black cones were their
nests-the flamingoes were Matching.
AT the approach of the troop they
rose, and, with a gait as grave and dig
nified as that of their comrades, formed
rank beside them. The latter then en-
tered the curious village, or settlement.
formed of little elevations of earth
thrown mp in the form of cones, with
truncated SUBMITS followed out con-
cavely for the eggs. The birds sit down
to hatch very gravely, astraddle of the
cones.
The ceremony we had been looking
at was that of relieving guard.
A new troop formed in rank, and pro-
ceeded to the watering place by the
same route which the others had left it.
In their turn the famingoes entered the
fresh-water lake to feed upon the tiny
aquatic creatures which inhabit it.
But what is the matter with our
horses? We can scarcely control them;
they prick their ears, snort, shudder.
tremble on their legs, Evidently some
thing unusual is going on.
Is il possible they are afraid of the
flamingoes whose serried ranks are i'll
/ ing by?